Fatigue - Is More Than "GP Brain Fog"

FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF MY BLOG 

From WordPress

http://melissagpfight.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/fatigue-is-more-than-gp-brain-fog/

What is Fatigue?
“Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress, medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease.”   As stated by The Medical Dictionary.

Symptoms of Fatigue?

Fatigue signs and symptoms may be of a physical, mental or emotional nature. Below is a list of some more possible signs and symptoms:

• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Aching or sore muscles
• Painful lymph nodes
• Apathy, lack of motivation
• Chronic (long-term) tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Hand-to-eye coordination may be impaired
• Headache
• Impaired judgment
• Indecisiveness
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Moodiness
• Poorer immune system function
• Short-term memory impairment – there may be problems organizing thoughts and finding the right words to say (brain fog)
• Sleepiness, drowsiness
• Slower-than-normal reflexes
• Some vision problems, such as blurriness

The above was copied from this link.   I never knew that fatigue had so many possible symptoms.  I was naive and only thought about being tired, lack of motivation and headaches. 

Top 9 Medications Causing Fatigue:

• High Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol control
• Proton pump inhibitors  (to treat GERD -Acid Reflux)
• Tranquilizers
• Allergy treatment
• Antidepressants
• Schizophrenia treatment
• Antibiotics
• Water Pills (Diuretics)

Be sure to talk to your doctor with any new medication they may give you, as well as you pharmacist.  Third I would read the informational sheet that comes with medications.  If it does not, then http://www.webmd.com is a wonderful resource.   The above info was taken from from this link.

 

Medical Conditions That Cause Fatigue:

• Anemia
• Congestive heart failure
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Infection
• Kidney disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Depression and anxiety
• Fibromyalgia

Your doctor may run tests to determine what is causing your fatigue, so that they can target the treatment.     This list was taken from “Harvard Health Publications” as it contained all of the medical conditions that I found via various other sites, but in one nice drop down list.

What Else Causes fatigue?

• Lack of sleep
• Sleep Apnea
• Poor nutrition
• Anemia
• Depression
• Hypothyrodism
• Too much caffeine
• Urinary Track Infection (UTI)
• Diabetes
• Dehydration
• Heart Desease
• Food allergies (undiagnosed)
• Fibromyalgia

More info found here.

How To Treat Fatigue?

First, you need to find out what is the cause.  Only then can you adequately treat fatigue.   The cause could be something simple as dehydration and the fix is to drink more water.  Or it could be your medication and you need to talk to your doctor on what steps to take to help you.  Following are two widely known ‘treatment’ options in the cancer realm:

• Yoga
• Ginseng

Always ask your health care provider before you try a new supplement.  Some of them can cause a bad reaction or lower the effectiveness of any medication you may be on, especially Ginseng (along with a few others).

END

The PAIN of Constipation (TMI Warning)

As I mentioned before, I am going to copy over some of my Notes on my Facebook page.  Here is the 1st one.

Following is a copy of my Facebook Note of April 8, 2013 (edited)

For a few days now, I have had more than normal side pain.  Today the pain moved lower.  As a female, I thought maybe it was a different issue.  Nope.  There is also a feeling of having ate a whole buffet!   The thought of food makes me sicker and liquids do not want to stay down.  

The self diagnosis begins.... did I try anything new?  Medication, Supplement, Drink, Real food?  Nope, nope, nope and nope.  Dang, what is wrong with me?  Just a flare?  Maybe.

As the day goes on the feelings of tired and depression hit.  Hmm, is this just the start of a flare?  Did I over do it?  Thinking back, 'no, I don't think so'.   Then what is it?!  

For some reason the word 'constipation' came to me.   The wheels in my head slowly turn, thinking about any BM's I have had recently.  I can't think of any in the recent past.  But if I am in 'brain fog' mode, who knows what I did just a few minutes ago!  For reality sake (this time), I recall not having a BM in the last few days.  Honestly, it could have been a week or longer.  I have been very bad not keeping my journal, so I have no way to know.  And a week is not unusual for me. 

Since my body hates coffee and it gives me diarrhea, I am drinking a cup now and am hoping for some relief.  This has always worked for me.   It is my hope that this will make me feel better.  Since right now the escalated pain, full feeling, no desire to consume anything, irritability (clothing hurts and everything in general), tired (didn't want to crawl out of bed), headache, depression along with the smallest activity hates all my energy, is getting on my nerves!   I want 'me' back!

Good days are yet to come.  It was may fault for not keeping better track of my over all health (BM's included) to prevent this from happening.   I am now onto day 4 with out a shower, so I will do that now.   Hope everybody is doing better today.   I have read a lot of you are in the hospital fighting -again!  My thoughts a prayers are with you all.

==== Yes, the coffee worked and I am keeping a better eye on my BM's to stay away from what I went through! =====